Brooklyn, N.Y., Oct. 16, 1918
My dear Mother and All,
Well, how are you folks this beautiful morning and what is the excitement for you? I sure wish you was here with me with morning to see all the sights around here, and also on the train. It sure is some sight to be at one of these harbor or sea ports and see the big ships leaving and also watch them load the ships with supplies. One of the prettiest sights I saw was the mountains along the Hudson River and it sure was great. We came over from New York City to Brooklyn in an underground railroad and we also crossed the Bay and saw the Statue of Liberty too.
I haven’t got my address yet but I do know that I will be in the Quarter Masters Corps and believe me it sure is a good thing. You ask Mr. Cook about it and give them my best regards.
The train we came on was a fast one only made a few stoops and would take water up while it was running.
I saw big trains that were run by electricity and they sure do go. There was only twenty four of the whole camp up here and it was the best shipment in the camp, so I feel pretty lucky to be one of the twenty-four out of the fourteen hundred men. Ha, ha. Frank Gaasch went to some place in Virginia but I don’t know where.
They just issued us follows passes to go to the Piers with supplies to the ships for that I think will be our work and I guess we will have to get our pictures taken now for some reason or other.
Well, I guess I will have time to write you some more of the news tonight. I am now in Hoboken, New Jersey, and the rest of the letter was written in New York. I have crossed the New York harbor two times and also the Hudson River twice so I don’t mind the water at all.
All you can see around here is water and steam ships. we are just two blocks from the pier. I saw the largest ship in the world today and I saw a big ship all loaded with soldiers leaving and it sure is some sight and it almost makes tears come in your eyes. But they all seems so happy it looks better than beautiful to a fellow.
I sure would not miss this trip for a whole lot but I don’t think I will ever get a chance to see the other side for the papers say tonight that the Kaiser has surrendered and that will mean peace most any time. I hope it will come pretty soon for I like home much better than I do New York. Some class to me.
The Srgt. was just in and told us he didn’t’ think we would ever get across, the way things look and he put me on kitchen police for tomorrow so you had better come and have some dinner with me.
Well, I must close and give you my address. I am feeling fine and hope you are the same. With lots and lots of love. Your son, Lawrence
Pvt. L.W. Hassinger, Motor Transport Corps No 407, Fisher Hotel, 41 1st St., Hoboken, N.J.